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Obituaries 11-06-2012

Frank A. “Frankie Pep” Pepicelli of the North End of Boston died on October 29.

A US Navy veteran of the Korean Conflict, he was the loving long time companion of Roberta “Bobbie” Moriaty of Dorchester and loving father of Joseph and his wife, Anna Pepicelli of Revere, Paul Pepicelli, Antonino “Nino” Pepicelli and David Pepicelli, all of the North End of Boston and the former husband of Marianne A. (Luisi) Pepicelli. He is also survived by one loving grandson, Christian.

Funeral arrangements were by the Cincotti Funeral Home, Medford. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to St. Leonard’s Church, 14 North Bennett St., Boston, Ma.02113.

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Antoinette Ragucci, PhD

Medical Educator

Dr. Antoinette T. Ragucci of Everett died on October 30. She was 90 years old.

Born in Everett in 1922 and a graduate of Everett High School, Class of 1940, she was the daughter of the late Alfonso and Virginia (Macario); sister of Marjorie Baldassare of Everett and the late Robert and Charles Ragucci. She is also survived by 11 nieces and nephews and by many grand nieces and nephews.

Upon graduation from Everett High School, Dr. Ragucci completed her training at Waltham Hospital and became a cadet nurse filling in for nurses who joined the Army or Navy. She went on to earn her BS in Nursing at Boston College and her MS in Rehabilitation Nursing at Boston University. Ms. Ragucci found nursing as a way to help her country during World War II.

One of her passions was the application of nursing and medical practices in different cultures, so she followed up with a PhD in Cultural Anthropology.

While studying for her Doctorate she traveled to Peru to help establish a clinic in Arequipa, her dissertation explored health practices among Italian women in Boston’s North End. She shared her interests through teaching, taught at Boston College for 12 years and later moved to Ohio where she finished her career at Case Western Reserve University. She was an independent woman who lived a full and interesting life.

Funeral arrangements were by the Salvatore Rocco & Sons Funeral Home, Everett. Entombment was at Holy Cross Mausoleum, Malden. In lieu of flowers donations in Ms. Ragucci’s memory may be made to the Union of Concerned Scientists, 2 Brattle Sq., Cambridge, MA 02138. www.roccofuneralhomes.com.

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Michele Cellurale

Retired Master Tailor

Michele E. Cellurale of Florida, a former longtime resident of the North End of Boston, died on October 29 at the Palm Gardens of Aventura Nursing Home in Aventura, Florida. He was 91 years old.

Born in Italy and a longtime master tailor in the clothing industry who retired in 2006, he was the beloved husband of the late Carmina (Mucciarone); dear and devoted father of Felice J. Cellurale and his wife, Josephine of Belmont, Mirella M. Petruccelli and her husband, Roger of Winthrop, Fernanda C. Blood and her husband, Clifford, Jr. of Medford, and the late Nicolindo and Olindo Cellurale; brother of the late Adelina Ruberto and Ernestina Messere; loving Papa of Dr. Cristina Cellurale, Adam Cellurale, Paul and Cherie Petruccelli, Carla and James Fay, David Petruccelli, Merideth Blood and Russell Blood and great-grandfather of Kayla Petruccelli.

Pasquale “Pat” Barrasso entered into eternal rest on October 28. He was 97 years old.

He graduated from the Michelangelo School and Brighton High School and was a US Navy veteran of World War II. After the war, he returned home to attend Burdett College under the G.I. Bill and received an Associate Degree in public relations.

He then worked for the Navy Department in Boston and became a member of the National Association of Government Employees Union. He later became Vice President of the Union.

He worked at City Hall in the Consumer Department for 10 years and also worked for Kenneth Lyons, National President of the National Association of Government Employees.

In 1946, he joined the committee for the Columbus Day Parade and went on to serve on that committee for over 50 years. He was the Chief Marshall in 1973.

He was also a past officer of the Knights of Columbus, belonged to the V.F.W. and was the founder of the AMVETS Post 13 and served as its first Post Commander. He also served as AMVETS State Department Vice Commander and Finance Officer and was a delegate to the AMVETS National Convention which enabled him to travel to many states.

Because of his 55 years of community and veterans service to the North End, in December 2004 he received a citation from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts House of Representatives.

He was involved in politics for many years starting when he helped James Michael Curley to become Governor. He continued to stay involved for the remainder of his life. He was a well-known figure in the North End of Boston and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Born and raised in the North End of Boston, he was the oldest of nine children of the late Antonio and Marianne Barrasso. He was predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Christine (Guarino) on April 1, 2010. He leaves his daughters, Elaine O’Brien and her husband, John and Patricia Hogan and her husband, James; his grandchildren, Tara O’Brien and John O’Brien III and his wife, Gretchen and his great-granddaughter Sophia O’Brien; his brother Anthony of the North End of Boston; many nephews, especially, Bobby Ricciardi of Medford with whom Pat talked politics and sports and his nephew Joe Como and his wife, Linda and their children, Cindy and Jeff, who were always there for him. He was the brother of the late Ernest, Rico, Joseph, Albert, Helen Ricciardi, Margaret and Louise Barrasso.

Loretta Susi of Boston’s North End died on October 26. She was 97 years old.

The loving daughter of the late Angelo and Carmela Susi, she was the beloved wife of the late Domenic Susi, cherished mother of the late Clara Susi, Francesco Susi, and Onelia DiCenso and adored grandmother of Frank J. DiCenso and his wife, Debbie of Andover, Loretta M. DiCenso of Woburn, Domenic DiCenso and his wife, Maria of Lynn, and Tina L. DiCenso-Fleming and her husband, Gary of Boston; caring great-grandmother of Nicholas, Victoria, Domenic John, and Anthony DiCenso; loving sister of the late Giovanna, Concetta, Danny, and Galiano Susi and is also survived by many loving sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, and cousins. The family would like to especially thank Antoinette De Stefano.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Boston Harborside Home, Boston. Entombment was at Holy Cross Mausoleum, Malden. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice. www.bostonharborsidehome.com.

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Dorothy Gillis

Chelsea Resident

Dorothy D. (Nuzzo) Gillis of Chelsea died on October 30.

She was the devoted wife of the late Richard E. Gillis, Sr., beloved mother of Richard E. Gillis, Jr. of Chelsea, Stephen Gillis of Falmouth and the late Cheryl Gillis, Paula Hensley, Paul Gillis and Gino Gillis; sister of Rocco Nuzzo of Andover, Daniel Nuzzo of the North End, Camile Nuzzo of California, Lorraine Visconti of Chelsea, Rosemarie DiGitano of Winthrop, Natalie Dello Iacono of New Hampshire and the late Francis Nuzzo; cherished grandmother of Tiffany, Amanda, TJ, Dylan, Seth, Gino, Jr. and Gage and is also lovingly survived by her great grandchildren DySiah, Jazmani and Greyson, as well as many nieces and nephews. Funeral arrangements were by the Smith Funeral Home, Chelsea. www.smithfuneralhomes.com.